THE TABERNACLE

(John 1:1-14; Matt. 18:20)

I. THE PATTERN

A. God required men to follow an exact pattern in the building of His “Dwelling Place”.

1. Moses - (Tabernacle pattern - Ex. Chaps. 25-31, actual pattern Ex. Chaps. 35-

40) Ex. 25: 9 & 40; 26:30; 27:8; Num. 8:4: Acts 7:44: Heb. 8:2,5

2. David - 1 Chron. 28:11-12, 18-19

3. Ezekiel - (Ezek. Chaps. 40-48, spiritual N.T. church)

Ezek. 43:10-11; 44:5

4. The Church:

a) We are the ultimate Temple of God - 1 Cor. 3:9, 16-17; 6:19-20; 2

Cor. 6:16 Eph. 2:19-22; Heb. 3:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:5-9

b) We must be careful how we build - Luke 14:28-30; 9:62; 1 Cor. 3:10-

14; Titus 2:7

B. Everything in and about the Tabernacle was spiritually symbolic.

1. God never intended to dwell in a natural temple, it was to be a pattern of His

spiritual dwelling place in the hearts of mankind. Heb. 9:1-11, 23-24; Acts 17:24

& 29; Acts 7:48-49; Isa. 66:1; 1 Kings 8:16, 26-27; 2 Sam. 7:5-6

2. It is symbolic of many things.

a) Jesus Christ - Rev. 21:22

b) The Church and the Christian Life (covered in I, A, 4)

c) Praise and Worship – Ps. 22:3

II. THE PRIESTHOOD

A. High Priest

1. Aaron (his sons were in training) Ex. 28:l

a) Sanctified by washing. - Ex. 40:12

b) Anointed for service - Ex. 40:13-15; Lev. 8:12; 21:10

c) Garments for “glory and beauty” Ex. 28:2,40

2. Jesus Christ - Heb. 2:17; 3:1-6; 4:14-16: 5:1-10; 6:19-20; All of Chap. 7

(7:26); 8:1-6; 9:11; 10:21

a) Fulfilled type of sanctification by washing - Matt. 3:13-15

b) Anointed for Service - Matt. 3:16-17

c) These were fulfilled again for His eternal sacrifice and ministry - Luke

7:37-38; John 12:1-7

B. Priests

1. God’s original plan

a) A kingdom of priests - Ex. 19:1-8

b) Rejected by the people -Ex. 20:18-19; Golden Calf Ex. 32; Moses’

Veil Ex. 34:29-35

c) c. Restored through Jesus Christ Isa. 61:1-6; (fulfilled in Luke 4:17-

21) 1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 1:6; 20:6

2. Levites

a) Chosen for righteousness - Ex. 32:26-29; Num. 1:51; 3:6-13; 8:16-18

b) b. Requirements - Lev. 21:l - 22:16; 10:8-11 (same as the vow of the

Nazarite. Lev. 2)

c) Responsibilities

(1) The entire Tabernacle and everything in it. Num. 1:50-53; 3:6-

8

(2) Their service was to God only and they were exempt from all

other activities of the people. Deut. 10:8-9

(3) They were totally dependent on the body for sustenance and

had no worldly inheritance. Num. 18:20; 26:52-62; Deut. 10:9;

12:10-14,19; 14:27-29; 18:1-8 (cities were given to them from

each tribe in the promised land 1 Chron. 6:48-81)

d) Age and time of service - Num. 8:24-26

e) Consecration - Ex. 29:1-37; Num. 8:5-22

III. THE CAMP

A. Arrangement of the tribes - Num. 2

1. The Levites camped around the Tabernacle which was in the center of the

camp. Num. 1:50; 2:17

2. The Levites and Joseph were replaced by Joseph’s sons, Ephraim & Manasseh

(Gen. 48:5) for a total of twelve tribes.

3. Judah was on the east by the gate - Rev. 5:5

B. Contrast of the Tabernacle and the people’s tents (Separation) Lev. 10:10; 11:47;

20:22-27; Ezek. 22:26; 44:23; Isa. 52:11; John 15:19; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11; 2

Thess. 3:6; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 2:19; 3:5; Rev. 18:4.

IV. MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION

A. God’s Provision

1. Israelites spoiled Egypt when they left. Ex. 12:30-36

2. Artisans were anointed for service. Ex. 31:1-6; 35:25-26

B. The people’s provision - Ex. 25:1-8; actually done in Ex. 35:5 - 36:7

C. The materials themselves state, “God will provide himself a sacrifice” Gen. 22:8

V. THE LINEN FENCE (Outer Court)

A. Description - Ex. 27:9-15, 17-19; 38:9-17, 20

1. White linen = purity and holiness

a) Jesus - Heb. 1:8-9; 4:15; 7:26; 9:14; 1 Pet. 2:22

b) The Church - 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Eph. 5:27; Rev. 3:4-5; 6:11; 19:7-8

2. Hooks and fillets of silver = purchase price, cost, ransom, redemption. Ex.

30:11-16

a) Jesus - Matt. 26:14-15

b) The Church - 1 Cor. 6:20

3. Pillars and sockets of brass = judgment

a) Jesus - Deut. 21:22-23; Isa. 53:5, 10

b) The Church - Gal. 3:13; Heb. 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:24

4. Conclusion - Jesus Christ, the righteous, being sold for silver, was ransomed

for our salvation and was hung upon our judgment. We are now bought with a

price and should be the reflection of His holiness for the world to see.

B. Purpose

1. It represented the Kingdom of God which is spiritual. Rom. 14:17; Luke

17:20-21 and therefore needed to look holy and separate - See III. B.

2. Separation

a) It kept sinners out, by their choice. - Isa. 53:2-3; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2:14

b) It enclosed and protected the righteous - Psa. 91; Psa. 84 and Psa. 1

VI. THE GATE (and the “Curtain for the door of the Court” - Num. 3:26)

A. Description - Ex. 27:16; 38:18-19

1. Hanging of blue (Jesus’ heavenly origin), purple (His royalty and kingship)

and scarlet (His sacrifice and blood)

2. Four pillars = the four gospels (they show us Jesus Christ)

B. Jesus Christ is the only way into the Kingdom of God. Acts 4:12

1. The “Gate of Heaven”

a) Jacob’s Ladder - Gen. 28:10-17

b) Jesus Christ - John 1:47-51

2. Jesus is the “Door” - John 10:1-2, 7-9

3. Jesus is the “Way” - John 14:6

a) Available to all - John 3:16; Rom. 5:18; 10:12; 1 Tim. 2:4

b) Received by few - Matt. 7:13-14; 22:14; Luke 13:24; 1 Pet. 3:20

C. Entering the Gate

1. Repentance

a) O.T. - Offerings & sacrifice - Lev. 1:1-5

b) N.T. - Through Jesus - Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30

2. Thanksgiving and Praise - Psa. 50:7-14; 95:1-2; 100:4; 107:20-22; 116:16-

19; 118:19-20; Jer. 33:11; Jonah 2:7-9; 1 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 13:15

VII. THE BRAZEN ALTAR

A. Description - Ex. 27:1-8; 29:36-37; 38:1-7

1. Brass = Judgment

a) Payment required for public justice - Ezek. 18:4

b) Jesus became our payment - Rom. 3:23; 5:12; 6:23

2. Fire

a) Wrath of God (the hell that we should have received) Isa. 53:5-6,10;

Heb. 2:14-15 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18

b) Never allowed to go out - Lev. 6:12-13

c) The source of all other fire used in the Tabernacle - Col. 1:12-17

3. Four horns of brass

a) Four corners of the world

(1) Universal guilt of all - Rom. 3:23

(2) Universal forgiveness made available - Rom. 10:13

b) Four gospels - Rom. 1:16

c) Place of mercy - 1 Kings 1:50-53; 2:28-34.

4. Largest piece of furniture

a) Block to unbeliever - Isa. 8:14-15; Matt. 21:44; Mark 6:3-6; Rom.

9:32-33; 1 Cor. 1:23; 1 Pet. 2:8

b) First step for believers - Matt. 11:6; John 3:3; (How? Rom. 10:9-10)

B. Sacrifices

1. Sin Offering - Ex. 29:10-14; Lev. 4 (Bullocks); Lev. 9 (Ram & Lamb); Lev.

16:1-34

2. Jesus is our scapegoat - Lev. 16:8-10, 21-22; Isa. 53:4

3. Jesus is our Lamb - Isa. 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Acts 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev.

5:6, 8, 12-13: Rev. 7:9-10, 14, 17

4. Offerings had to be without spot or blemish

a) O.T. - Ex. 12:5 (Passover; 29:1; Lev. 1:3,10; Lev. 3:1,6; 4:3, 23, 28,

32; Lev. 22:17-33 (Look up “blemish” in Strong’s Concordance)

b) Jesus - Luke 23:2-3, 14, 20; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 1:19;

2:22; 1 John 3:5

c) The Church

(1) Should likewise be without spot or blemish (sin). Rom. 12:1;

Eph. 5:27; James 1:27: 2 Pet. 3:14

(2) Must return to the blood each time sin occurs.

(a) Holiness required - 1 Pet. 1:16 = Lev. 11:44-45; 19:1;

Matt. 5:48

(b) Blood necessary for atonement - Lev. 17:11; Heb.

9:22; Matt. 26:27-28

(c) We are lost until we repent - Matt. 18:12-14; 1 Pet.

2:25; 2:15-22; Rev. 2:5, 14-20; 3:14-19

(d) We are restored through belief in the blood and

confession. 1 Jn. 1:7-9

5. Work of the priests in offering the sacrifice

a) O.T. work was never finished (no throne or chair to show completion)

b) Christ offered Himself once, then sat down. Heb. 7:24-28; 8:1; 9:12,

24-28; 10:10-14

c) We are therefore seated with Christ - Eph. 2:4-7

VIII. THE LAVER

A. Description - Ex. 30:17-21

1. Brass (Judgment) - made from brass mirrors of the women. Ex. 38:8

2. Only object with no dimensions = continual and unlimited cleansing.

B. Purpose

1. Self-examination - 1 Cor 11:28, 3l

2. Washing (of the Word) - Isa. 1:16-18; John 15:3; 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27; 2

Cor. 7:1; 2 Tim. 2:15, 19, 21: James 1:22-25; 4:8; 1 John 3:3

C. Reason: To grow, change, and be holy - 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Psa. 17:15

IX. THE TABERNACLE - Ex. 26

A. The door.

1. Description - Ex. 26:36-37

2. Jesus is the door of truth - Jn. 14:6 (Door - John 10:1-2, 7 & 9.

3. Five pillars

a) Gold (Heavenly origin)

b) Five-fold ministry (called of God and anointed by the Holy Spirit –

Eph. 4:11

B. The Tent - Ex. 26:1-4

1. Linen of blue, purple, scarlet, with embroidered cherubims (vs. 1) - Jesus

2. Covering of goats hair (vs.7) - Jesus

3. Covering of rams skin dyed red (vs. 7) - Jesus

4. Covering above of badger skins (vs. 7) - Jesus

a) Badger skins = “sea cows” - porpoise, marine mammal

b) Plentiful in Egypt, not in the desert

c) Used to make their shoes - Ezek. 16:10

(1) God had shoes off their feet in the offerings for the tabernacle -

Ex. 25:1-5

(2) Miracle of the shoes - Deut. 8:4; 29:5; Neh. 9:21

(3) We are to give up all for Jesus - Matt. 6:24-34; Luke 14:33;

Phil. 4:6-7

d) The skins were drab and ugly on the outside, but protected the glory of

God on the inside - Isa. 53:2-3

C. The foundation

1. One hundred blocks (sockets) of silver - Ex. 26:19-25

2. The tabernacle is built on the foundation of the blood of Jesus - Isa. 28:16; 1

Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:18-22

X. THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK - Ex. 25:31-40; 26:35

A. Jesus

1. Pure gold = deity and glory - John 1:14

2. Beaten out of one piece = many aspects are being shown of one object (or

person)

3. Shaft and branches = Christ and the church - John 15:4-5

4. Knops, flowers, almonds

a) Seed, blossoming and fruit of Christ’s ministry

b) Sign of His anointed priesthood - Num. 16 & 17

5. Light – John 1:1-9, 8-12

B. Holy Spirit

1. Pure beaten olive oil for the lamps - Ex. 27:20

a) The Holy Spirit as oil

b) The Holy Spirit comes with tongues of fire - Acts 2:1-4; (fire causes

separation - Matt. 10:34; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Tim. 3:1-5)

2. The shaft and branches = The Holy Spirit Baptism of Jesus

a) Prophesied – Isa. 11:1-2; Joel 2:28-29; Zech. 4

b) Fulfilled – Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-33

c) Glorified – Rev. 1:4; 3:5; 5:5-6

3. Knops, flowers, blossoms

a) The Gifts or manifestations of the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor. 12:1-13

b) The Fruits of the Spirit - Gal. 5:22-25

4. Light - Just as Jesus is the entrance into the Kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit

is the only illumination (enlightenment or entrance) into the Holy Place, the

place of true worship - John 4:23-24

C. The Church

1. Gold - We are to be a reflection of the glory of God

2. Oil & Fire - We are to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit from Jesus -

Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8

3. Light - Matt. 5:14-16

4. Shaft & Branches - John 15:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27

5. Knops, flowers, almonds

a) We should operate in all of the gifts as the Holy Spirit leads - 1 Cor.

12:7-11

b) We should manifest all the fruits - Gal. 5:22-24

c) The seed of the Holy Spirit should blossom and bring forth much fruit

through us

XI. TABLE OF SHEWBREAD

A. Description - Ex. 25:23-30

1. Acacia wood overlaid with gold

a) The glory of God on the man Jesus Christ (His humanity and deity)

b) the meeting place of God and man (communion table)

2. Golden crown

a) Kingship of Jesus - 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16;

b) We inherit His kingship - Rev. 1:5-6; 2:10, 26-27

B. The Bread - Lev. 24:5-9

1. Twelve loaves

a) O.T. - One loaf for each of the 12 tribes

b) N.T. - Bread for all believers - Acts 26:7; 1 Cor. 10:17; James 1:1;

Rev.7:5-8

2. Jesus is the Bread of Life - John 6:31-35, 48-58

C. Frankincense Ex. 24:7

1. It means “white” and therefore represents purity.

2. Communion must only be taken by those who are spiritually clean

a) Only priests could eat of the bread in the O.T. as they were

ceremonially clean

b) The church is the priests of the N.T. - 1 Cor. 11:26-11

XII. THE GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE

A. Description - Ex. 30:1-10

1. Acacia wood overlaid with gold = meeting place of man and the Glory of God

(Jesus both man and God)

2. Foursquare = The universal church - Rev. 21:2, 9-10, 16

3. Four horns = Universal mercy (See VIII.A.3) and power

a) O.T. horn = power

b) Power of prayer - Acts. 1:8; Eph. 6:10-18; 2 Cor. 10:4

B. Incense

1. Ingredients and rules - Ex. 30:34-38

2. Nadab & Abihu - Lev. 10:1-7; 1 Sam. 15:22-23a (The unforgivable sin –

Matt. 12:31 Heb. 6:4-6 & 10:24-29)

C. Coals were taken from the Brazen Altar

1. Christ our Savior (brazen altar) is now in Heaven as our interceding High

Priest (Golden Altar)

2. If we are not in Christ, God does not hear our prayers. John 9:31

D. Place of intercession, prayer, and high praise

1. Christ is our interceding High Priest - Heb. 7:24-25; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 8:34;

John 17:9 (for believers only)

2. Believers - Psa. 141:2; Heb. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:5; Rev. 8:3-4

3. The place of prayer and praise in the Spirit (in tongues), because that is a

perfect offering, untainted by human thought or desire - Rom. 8:26-27; 21:1

XIII. THE VEIL

A. Description - Ex. 26:31-33

B. Purpose

1. To separate the people from the awesome, holy presence of God

2. To make a sanctuary for those approaching God: Psa. 91:1-2; 17:8; 27:5 32:7-

8; 119:114

C. Jesus

1. Entered once for all - Heb. 6:19-20

2. He was the Veil - Eph. 2:18-19; Heb. 10:19-22;

3. Because He was the fulfillment, the veil was torn upon His death - Matt. 27:51

D. The Holy of Holies is now available to all who enter through the Holy Spirit, cleansed

in the blood of Jesus - John 4:23-24

XIV. THE HOLY OF HOLIES

A. Description - Ex. 26:33-34 (also see IX.B)

1. The Ark - Ex. 25:10-16

a) Acacia wood overlaid with pure gold

b) Gold crown round about

c) The staves were never taken out = God is everywhere and all times

accessible.

d) Contents - (Jesus is the ark - Col. 2:9)

(1) The Ten Commandments = God the Father, the lawgiver -

Deut. 10:1-5

(2) Golden pot of manna (Heb. 9:4) = Christ, the Bread of Life Ex.

16:4, 13-21, 31-35 (Joshua 5:12) John 6:1-63; Rev. 2:17

(3) Aaron’s Rod that budded = The Holy Spirit (see X.A.4. &

B.3)

2. The Mercy Seat - Ex. 25:17-22

a) Pure Gold

b) Two cherubims of beaten work

c) The presence of God dwelt here - vs. 22; 1 Sam. 4:4; 2 Sam. 6:2; 2

Kings 19:15; Psa. 80:1; 99:1

d) Covered by the Blood - Heb. 9:7-8

B. The Glory of God is the only light - Rev. 21:22-23

C. Place of intimate communion

1. O.T. priests were allowed here once a year.

2. Moses met here often with God - Num. 7:89

3. Believers can now enter any time because of our Lord Jesus Christ - Heb.

10:19-22; John 15:15-16